Rodriguez was arrested in January, accused of using his position to intimidate city officials in order to stop a criminal investigation against him. Gov. Rick Scott suspended Rodriguez from his duties days after his arrest.

In July, Rodriguez faced additional charges in connection with a fraudulent real-estate deal.

A motion to dismiss the charges of unlawful compensation or reward for official behavior and solicitation to commit unlawful disclosure of confidential criminal information were denied.

Forty years ago, one of the greatest boxing matches in history took place in an unlikely setting: the capital of the Philippines. Muhammad Ali's epic win over great rival Joe Frazier in 1975 became known as the "Thrilla in Manila."